41 residents have died in Vancouver care home COVID-19 outbreak
A deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Little Mountain Place care home in Vancouver has now infected at least 169 individuals and killed 41 residents.
An updated statement from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) stated that the latest numbers were reported on January 5. To date, 99 residents and 70 staff have tested positive.
“We are saddened by the impact of COVID-19 on residents and staff and are devastated by the loss of life and impact on families. Circumstances of each outbreak are different and can evolve quickly,” stated VCH in an email to Daily Hive.
“Our immediate priority is to connect with families first regarding circumstances at the facility. As situations evolve and under the direction of Medical Health Officers, outbreak control measures are adjusted to protect the safety of residents and staff.”
The facility contains 117 single rooms for residents, and it appears the majority of them became infected. An outbreak at the facility was first declared on November 22, 2020.
The health authority added all eligible residents and most staff at Little Mountain Place have received their COVID-19 vaccine.
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In a live briefing on Monday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry faced questions from reporters regarding issues of transparency around the outbreak at Little Mountain and other care homes.
Henry said, “There’s no one simple thing about why [COVID-19] spreads so rapidly in some places versus others.”
She added the outbreak has been very challenging for healthcare staff to deal with, and she believes the home is making efforts to keep family members updated.
The home has pulled from a pool of staff meant to help long-term care facilities facing pandemic-related staffing shortages, Henry said. She added other outbreak protocols include rapid testing, enhanced cleaning, and bringing in leadership from the local health authority.
With files from Megan Devlin.
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